The end of the road has arrived. My 1 year old cat, Abomination, has had escalating aggression problems over the last several months. He’s taken a few swipes at house guests and taken to hissing incomprehensibly (I mean, at inanimate objects, even) and swatting at me and my husband, completely unprovoked, when we are at the table.
Today I took him to get his nails trimmed, which is usually no big issue. After taking a swipe at the groomer, he viciously attacked me. This was not accidental. Those are all teeth marks. It happened very fast but he bit me more than once. I am covered from knuckles to forearm in red gashes.
I’ve done my best but this is the final straw for me. We are planning to bring a child into this house as soon as we are able, and this level of aggression is unacceptable. He’s going to a no-kill shelter on Monday.
I am incredibly fucking sad, but also, if I am honest, somewhat relieved. He’s been nothing but stress for me and my older cat, Merlin, from day one. Sr. Weasel asked if I wanted him to sleep in the bed with me over the next couple of days (we normally keep him out of the bedroom) but I think it would just break my heart.
I’m trying to look on the bright side. Merlin at least will be a very happy kitty and if I’m lucky he’ll stop spraying all over the house. This whole thing has been a disaster and I feel incredibly guilty and wish I could have prevented it somehow. As both cats’ behavioral problems have escalated I’ve been reading extensively and doing everything in my power to understand what is going on from their POV. It just seems like they are speaking a foreign language.
I care very much about that cat and he will be missed.
We once had a cat like Abomination. It just turned out she was a “there can be only ONE!” cat. We found her a home and she immediately settled down and gave no trouble to her new owner.
I don’t know a lot about this stuff, so I figure I’ll explain to the shelter people what happened and let them determine what sort of home is best for him.
I could see him being pretty happy as an outdoor cat.
If mystery loves company, you might like to know that I picked up a few cat scratches today myself, when I found myself between two toms who are not friends. (But for me, “accidentally scratched by a cat is news on the " sun rises today” level. For a unique event, I have to go with the time a couple of months ago I was lying in bed reading an eBook when one of those toms decided to turn around and spray me in the face from about six inches away.)
Absolutely you shouldn’t feel bad about your decision – outside of your deliberately putting yourself into the middle of a cat fight, there is absolutely no excuse for a cat to do that to its owner.
Best wishes, and hope you heal quickly with no infection or too much itchiness.
We’ve been having problems with Merlin (the older cat) spraying, probably at least in part due to the stress of living with a furry little psycho, and I thought he had some audacity spraying my books! Damn.
I’ve entered ‘‘bad break-up’’ mode apparently, moping around the house and eating ice cream. I want to cuddle Mina but I am actually afraid to touch him.
My EvilKitteh was rehomed almost exactly a year ago, after 1.5 years of trying to get her and the OriginalKitteh to get along. The final straw was OK having to go in for surgery to remove a bladder stone, which formed due to her terror of coming out from under the couch long enough to use the litter box. I, like you, tried everything, but in the end had to make the right decision for everyone (including for my relationship with my better half, which had become extremely strained). I found her a home on the other side of town, with a nice lady who used to do rescue work with cats, and her retired Army husband.
Her new mom reaches out via Facebook every other month or so with a photo or amusing story. I just got two new pics yesterday, in fact, and it turns out she lets EK sleep in the pillow next to her head every night. OriginalKitteh is totally back to normal. I’m still a little raw-hearted, but very glad that EK got a new lease on life.
I’m sorry you’re hurting, physically and emotionally. I wish you and both your kittehs easy healing.
I know it’s tough. I think you’re making the right decision. Mina doesn’t seem happy for some reason. I think you and hubby did your best, but she’s not a good fit. No slam on you. We had a dog we had to return to the no-kill shelter because she barked incessantly. We tried everything, but in the end, it didn’t work out.
Sorry about your situation. But in addition to looking after your cat’s welfare don’t forget yourself - if any of those bites produced any level of deep puncture, please go see a doctor just to be safe. Cat bites can be really, really nasty in terms of bacterial infections.
In the very least I’m going to call the vet on Monday and ask what to look out for, and then I’m going to call the doctor to ensure I am up to date on my shots. I’m pretty sure I had a tetanus shot last year, but I should verify. I cleaned everything with peroxide when I got home so hopefully that will help prevent infection.
I don’t think any of the wounds are too deep, and I know he is up to date on his shots, but it’s better to be safe.
Cat bites are very dangerous. I would have the cat put down without hesitation. A bad infection from a cat bite can be life changing. I would not put someone else at risk of this without them knowing his history.
His shots are irrelevant in this case, it is the naturally-occurring nasty bacteria that lives in his mouth which is typically the issue( human bites aren’t much better ). If they’re just surface wounds and you sterilized them thoroughly you’ll probably be fine. It’s just cats have those nice, long canines that can create punctures that seal over readily at top but deposit bacteria deep into tissue where it is hard to clean out and festers.
If anything gets swollen and red, definitely go see a doc.
That’s why I’m taking him to the no-kill shelter, giving them as much information as humanly possible about his medical and behavioral history, showing them the still-fresh wounds all over my hand, explaining that he likes to cuddle with his suckling blanket and would they please let him keep it, bursting into tears, and going home.
I figure they’ll understand what to do far better than I ever will.
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If they’re just surface wounds and you sterilized them thoroughly you’ll probably be fine.
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The bites didn’t actually bleed much, but they still look like they are bleeding, if that makes any sense. They are bright blood red that doesn’t wash away. I’m not sure how to tell if there are puncture wounds. I’m guessing the vet will be able to advise me as I’m sure it comes up for them periodically. He once freaked out at the vet in a way I have never seen a cat do ever, and even the vet seemed pretty shocked, so I don’t think they will be surprised to hear this happened.
My hand does hurt, but it hurts less than it seems that it should. If the pain gets worse I will certainly see a doctor.
No, I don’t think Mina needs to be put down. Spice Weasel is taking the appropriate course in taking her to a qualified shelter.
Bolding mine. Spice Weasel internet descriptions can be hard to decipher, but I think, based on what you are saying, that you should take your injuries to the doctor. I agree that there is no need to involve the vet, unless you need to see him tomorrow for some other reason (you are right that they undoubtedly have lots of experience looking at cat wounds). Better safe than sorry. Cat wounds can turn very nasty, very fast. Better to get some anti-biotics now (if needed) then end up with blood poisoning (as did my uncle).
I am so sorry it didn’t work out. I know that you tried very hard. I believe that you are doing the right thing for all of you. {{{hugs}}}
). If they’re just surface wounds and you sterilized them thoroughly you’ll probably be fine. It’s just cats have those nice, long canines that can create punctures that seal over readily at top but deposit bacteria deep into tissue where it is hard to clean out and festers.